Alongside them were a roll-call of Welsh stars of the ‘70s including Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Phil “Benny” Bennett, flying winger JJ Williams and former Wales and Lions skipper John Dawes.

They spoke of Davies’ derring-do on the pitch and occasionally in hotels, of his loyalty and quiet, Swansea accent delivered, words of wisdom.

And they sung some of his best loved tunes including the rugby tour favourite, the West Indies folk song, Sloop John B.

And a number of tears were shed when the stirring, Swansea Valley based Cor y Gyrlais choir performed Swansea Town with its evocative lines: “I'm going home to Swansea Town...that sea-port sound, one lovely seatown morning.”

Forever remembered as “Merv the Swerve”, the modest, hard tackling, quick thinking number eight became an iconic figure with his thick moustache and trademark white head band.

He died aged 65 in March this year after a brave battle with cancer following a career in which he won 38 consecutive Welsh caps and helped the British Lions win two bruising test series in 1971 and 1974 in New Zealand and South Africa.

He was handed the Welsh captaincy in 1975 and led his team to the Grand Slam in 1976, his career cut short when he suffered a near fatal brain haemorrhage playing for Swansea in the same year.

Following a private family funeral in Swansea yesterday’s event was held as a public tribute to the Morriston born former school teacher.

Rugby commentator John Taylor, the former Wales and Lions flanker who was a close friend of Davies, compered yesterday’s celebration.

He recalled how the two used to share flats and houses together in London while both playing for London Welsh.

He said: “Those of us at the funeral tried hard to stay upbeat but it was too sad and a bit too raw so we’ll make this a happy occasion, something Merv would want.”

Scottish Rugby Union President and ex British Lion Ian McLauchlan said affectionately of Davies: “In the modern era he’d be a superstar, he’d have to give up the fags and the red wine, but he’d be a superstar.”

Willie John McBride, captain of the 1974 Lions South Africa tour recalled how he was once woken at 2.30am in his hotel room by Davies saying: “Captain, there’s been a bit of trouble, you’d better come down.”

Antrim born McBride explained how he then calmed down the manager after finding many of his team-mates drinking beer around a fire lit in the middle of the hotel.

He said: “He was going to call the riot police but I said: ‘Will there be many?’ so we sorted it in the morning.

McBride said Davies later quietly congratulated his handling of it but the Irishman, who had been drinking too, confessed: “I couldn’t remember a thing!”

Former England and Lions prop Mike Burton said: “I’m proud to say I played with Mervyn and that I knew him.”

Former Wales skipper, coach and past WRU president Clive Rowlands added: “I’m here to pay tribute to Mervyn but his stature, his status, his white head band...that says it all.”

Rowlands read a message from Rhondda born ex player turned broadcaster and writer Cliff Morgan, too unwell to attend, who said of Davies: “You climbed rugby’s Everest and triumphantly planted the flag of Wales at the top of the World.”

The event, attended by hundreds, was organised by WREX Ltd (Welsh Rugby Former International Players Association of which Mervyn Davies was a former chairman) and supported by Swansea RFC and Swansea Council.

WREX founder JJ Williams, said: “It’s only fitting the rugby world had an opportunity to pay tribute to a true icon of Welsh rugby.”

David Phillips, the Swansea council leader, added: “Mervyn Davies was of one Swansea’s most famous sons. He lived the dream of many thousands of schoolboys across the city and beyond by playing for Wales and the British Lions during a golden era for Welsh and British rugby."